Auburn Swimmers Earn Three Gold, One Silver And A Bronze On The Final Day Of The 2009 FINA World Championships
Aug. 2, 2009
2009 World Championships Notes
Had Team Auburn been a sovereign nation at the 2009 World Championships, the Tigers would have tied Australia for fourth in the overall medal count with 15, trailing only China (28), United States (25) and Russia (19). In all, Auburn swimmers set three world and 13 meet records while picking up six gold, four silver and five bronze medals over eight days of swimming competition.
With water polo, synchronized swimming, diving and open water swimming medals subtracted from the overall medal count, Auburn would have tied Australia for second place, trailing only the United States with 22. Russia (11) and China (8) would have placed third and fourth, respectively.
Auburn swimming and diving's 2009 World Championship medal count also exceeds the 13 won by Tiger swimmers at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2008 FINA Short Course Championships, making the championships Auburn's most successful international swimming competition in school history.
"What a great week for Auburn swimming," said Auburn head swimming and diving coach Brett Hawke. "For our athletes to come to an event of this scale and put on this kind of display is just huge. It really goes to show the impact our program has had and will continue to have on this sport.
"I couldn't be more happy or proud for all of our swimmers here in Rome. They all represented Auburn and what it is capable of."
McGill (50.84) threw down the ninth fastest breaststroke split in the men's 4x100 medley relay prelims, while Gangloff's time of 58.68 was the third fastest breaststroke leg of the morning heats. Team USA (3:29.94) advanced to finals as the third seed where McGill would be replaced by Michael Phelps and Gangloff by Shanteau.
"Tyler (McGill) has become one of the premier butterflyers in the world," said Hawke. "It's been amazing to see. As our team captain this coming up season, Tyler's going to be able to draw from this experience and lead our team into the future. He's had an amazing month. I'm expecting to continue to see great things from him."
Shanteau went on to swim a 58.57 breaststroke leg en route to a new world record time for Team USA. With a team time of 3:27.28, the United States undercut the record by over two full seconds. The previous mark of 3:29.34 was set by the United States at the 2008 Beijing Games. Targett swam anchor for the third-place Australian squad in finals, dropping a 47.16 freestyle split.
Also competing in finals was former Tiger and 100m freestyle world record holder Cesar Cielo. The Brazilian swam achor, touching in at 46.22. His split was the fastest on the day.
Auburn rising senior Pascal Wollach swam the opening leg for the ninth-place Canadian 4x100m medley relay team, touching in at 53.90.
Coventry earned silver for her native Zimbabwe, touching in with a 400m IM finals time of 4:32.12. The seven-time Olympic Medalist earned her second medal in as many days after setting a new world record and taking gold in Saturday's 200m backstroke finals. Coventry led the 400m IM after the breaststroke leg, but was outpaced by Hungary's Katinka Hosszu (4:30.31) in the end.
Auburn swimmers have made the medal stand a total of 53 times at the FINA Long Course World Championships since first appearing in 1978. The Tigers have totaled 25 gold medals in the process. Former Tiger Rowdy Gaines leads the way in the medal count, earning a total of eight - five in 1982 and three in '78. Gaines also leads the way in the gold medal count, winning a total of five for Team USA.
Auburn swimming and diving was represented at the 2009 FINA World Championships by a contingent of 17 athletes representing 12 nations. The event, held July 17-Aug. 2 at the Foro Italico, showcased swimming events of varying disciplines July 26-Aug. 2 at the Stadio del Nuoto. Complete results are available by logging on to www.OmegaTiming.com. Video of the event is available at www.UniversalSports.com. Auburn Swimming & Diving 2009 FINA World Championship Notes Auburn swimming and diving was represented at the 2009 FINA World Championships by a contingent of 17 athletes representing 12 nations. Auburn coaches Brett Hawke, Aaron Ciarla and Richard Long served as assistant coaches to Brazil, Bahamas and Paraguay, respectively. Auburn entered the 2009 FINA World Championships with Margaret Hoelzer as the sole Tiger in possession of a meet record. The Tigers now own four - Cesar Cielo (50m free, 100m free), Kirsty Coventry (200m back) and Eric Shanteau(4x100m medley relay). Former Tiger George Bovell won a swim-off to advance to the finals of the men's 50m free. In all, Auburn swimmers set three world and 13 meet records while picking up six gold, four silver and five bronze medals over eight days of swimming competition at the 2009 World Championships.. Former Tiger Rowdy Gaines leads the way in the medal count, earning a total of eight - five in 1982 and three in '78. Gaines also leads the way in the gold medal count, winning a total of five for Team USA. Auburn's most successful individual events at World Championships have been the 100 free, the 200 back and the 200 IM, with four medals apiece. The Tigers have also won 12 medals in the 4x100 medley relay.
Gold (6) Silver (4) Bronze (5)
World Records (3)
American Records (4) Australian Records (2)
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